Acceptance procedures for frigate components ongoing

The Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) is proceeding as scheduled and we are now finalizing the Technical Inspection and Acceptance procedures for the many components that will comprise the two frigates,” he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — Technical inspection and acceptance procedures for components that will be installed on the Philippines’ first two missile-firing frigates are now being finalized.

This was bared by Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong on Wednesday when asked on the progress of the modernization project worth PHP18 billion.

“The Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) is proceeding as scheduled and we are now finalizing the Technical Inspection and Acceptance procedures for the many components that will comprise the two frigates,” he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

This stage includes possible selection of weapons, propulsion and sensor systems on the two frigates.

“We expect the concerned parties to submit the checklists, which are required in the Technical Inspection process, not later than December 1, 2017,” Andolong said.

On Oct. 24, 2016, DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana formally inked the contract for the FAP, together with officials and delegates from South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) at the PN’s headquarters in Naval Station Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

The project involves the construction and delivery of two missile-firing frigates to the PN.

As background, the Notice of Award was approved, issued and was duly conformed by HHI on Sept. 13, 2016 with the amount of USD336,912,000 or PHP15,744,571,584.

An additional PHP2 billion was allocated for the acquisition of assorted weapon systems and munitions. (PNA)